A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 144.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for Event Ticketing Act, or the MAIN Event Ticketing Act, aims to improve online ticket sales and consumer protection. It amends the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 to target the use of automated applications that circumvent security measures to purchase event tickets. The bill requires online ticket issuers to implement and maintain access control systems to enforce purchasing limits. It also mandates that these issuers report known incidents of circumvention to the Commission within 30 days. Furthermore, it establishes protocols for law enforcement coordination and provides the Commission with authority to pursue civil actions.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill strengthens consumer protections by banning the use of automated applications to circumvent ticket purchasing limits.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?
The bill enhances cybersecurity by requiring ticket issuers to implement safeguards against cyberattacks and coordinate with law enforcement.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
By preventing bots from buying up tickets, the bill increases the likelihood that more people can access tickets at face value.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection against automated purchasing: The bill targets the use of software applications that perform automated tasks to bypass security measures and purchase tickets, which helps protect the integrity of online ticket purchasing order rules (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
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Enhanced site security and enforcement: Online ticket issuers are required to establish and maintain access control systems and technological measures to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits (Section s 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Increased accountability through reporting: Issuers must report any known incidents of circumvention to the Commission within 30 days, ensuring that violations are documented (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Consumer recourse: The Commission is tasked with creating a website to allow individuals to report violations of the Act (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Improved information sharing: The bill facilitates coordination between the Commission and law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the Department of Justice, to share information regarding cyberattacks on ticketing security systems (Section 2(e)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial penalties for issuers: Violators may face significant civil penalties, including at least $10,000 per day for ongoing violations, an additional $1,000 per violation, and up to $10,000 more for intentional violations (Section 2(c)(4)).
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Litigation risks: The Commission has the authority to bring civil actions in federal court to recover penalties and seek injunctive relief against those violating the Act (Section 2(c)(3)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By preventing bots from buying up tickets, the bill increases the likelihood that more people can access tickets at face value. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increased availability of tickets through the prevention of bot circumvention benefits middle-income consumers. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill may improve the fairness of high-demand event ticket access which is often concentrated in urban areas.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill strengthens consumer protections by banning the use of automated applications to circumvent ticket purchasing limits.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill enhances cybersecurity by requiring ticket issuers to implement safeguards against cyberattacks and coordinate with law enforcement.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill mandates that ticket issuers maintain safeguards to protect the security and integrity of customer information.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Commission to report to Congress on the status of enforcement actions taken under the Act.
- 9/2/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-57.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 144.
- 4/30/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 1/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico